RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) - The man arrested Tuesday night at City Hall said he showed up to speak to Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones about social security benefits.
Nathaniel Charles Burwell, 65, was charged with trespassing, when he refused to leave after the mayor's staff asked him to do so. The incident happened around 5:10 p.m. Tuesday.
Richmond Police said Burwell never made any threatening actions or statements, but added upon entering City Hall, Burwell left a bag with a hatchet in it at the guard post.
Burwell said he was a retired carpenter and claimed he often carried around a bag of tools that included a hammer and hatchet.
He said he disappointed with the way he was treated.
"The incident has raised some concerns about internal security protocols," the mayor's press secretary Tammy Hawley said in an emailed statement. "The matter is still under review at this time."
